Croatoan Report: Recent Episodes
Croatoan Report
Hey all,
As some of you may know, Cody has decided to leave Kitbag.
Cody helped (and often spearheaded) the direction of the page/podcast. I thank him for the work he put into our community and know he positively impacted many of you.
I also appreciate his support and guidance over the last year while I was in Africa and going through my own personal life changes. He has been a genuine friend and know he will continue to do great things.
See you space cowboy
-Matt
We are joined by John (IG: Johns_op) to discuss Australian commandos, Afghanistan, the world and all things in your kitbag.
In this episode we sit down with Aaron, a former civil affairs operator in Afghanistan and the Philippines, then a Military Intelligence officer. Aaron offers a different perspective on SOF and the GWOT.
In this episode, Shombe Report joins us to talk about Southern Africa. Born and raised in Mozambique Shombe Report has been a superb friend and benefit to our community on all things Africa and the region's military.
We sit down with Ryan West (IG:rwyeasnt) a former MARSOC Intel sergeant turned real estate agent. Ryan was matt's instructor when he first became an intel nerd and we sit down to talk about life, war, and intel.
Karl, an Australian sniper from 2RAR with multiple combat deployments comes on to talk about his business and page Coral Sea Raiding Company on Instagram, gear, snipers, and your wife's boyfriend's credit cards.
In this episode, we talk to Ian, founder of Warfighter Coffee, and we discuss veteran suicide, transitioning to civilian life, and veterans internationally
In this episode, we bring on Dean, a Patreon member and infantry enthusiast to explain the crucible that is Myanmar. Also matt left his laptop in his rental car.
In this episode, we talk to Skid Row who is represented by a Marine Corps Cobra pilot. Skid Row is a group of pilots that discuss and meme army aviation on a famous Instagram account. Want to know the future of rotary aviation and what it might hold? Listen in
Cody Talks about the worst houses he has cleaned up, Dingo goes to Vietnam, and Matt has to fight for his life.
This week we are joined by Sergeant First Class Dennis Mullins, a veteran of the Marine Corps infantry (1990-1994), US Army infantry (2005-2009), US Army intelligence analyst (2009-2022), and current contractor. He and I (Matt) discuss his experiences throughout his career, a comparison between soldering in the 1990s and the current day, and some father-son banter.
Hope you enjoy.
Do you think you have a handle on the Middle East? Well come in and grab a chair, Matt and Cody are gonna go down the list of things that matter in that part of the world.
In this Episode Cody breaks down how to war and basic tactics of invasions and how Russian defense works in modern warfare as well as explaining how America failed Ukraine.
Cody and the guys from the None Taken Podcast go over a sea of information, everything from Republican primaries, and the military, to spy rings and BRICS.
We talk with Marine Corps intel and podcast host BA adventures to discuss life, PSYOPS, and the military for better or worse.
In this episode, we take a break to tell some stories about war, military life, sex, drugs, and rock and roll. These episodes will be our fan mail podcasts where you can write a story or tell us something, its just a good old break from the usual, don't take it too serious <3
Tobin, a special operations logistics officer, Light-heavy weight MMA champion of III Army Corps (37-0), Veteran of the war against ISIS, and Cody's OG battle buddy comes on the podcast to talk logistics, finding success in life, and his life motto of FITFO (figure it the fuck out).
In this episode Cole from Alcon S2 comes on to talk about what he has going on with his business, New Zealand on the world stage, and what the future holds
John and Jake, two combat veteran infantry officers from The Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) talk about their experiences in Sierra Leon, Northern Ireland, and Afghanistan. We also get their take on modern politics and ukraine
In this episode, we discuss the details of Russian-made tanks and the numbers. We also go over the failed Ukrainian counter-offensive and how the narrative isn't the whole truth of the matter for things on the ground.
In this episode, we discuss the Malaysian Emergency (UK Vietnam) and the Vietnam War. For those that don't know there was another war from 1948-1960 in which the British fought communists in Malaysia, and they won. Meanwhile right next door the French and Americans lost back to back in Vietnam.
In this episode, Matt and Cody discuss Gulf War 1, Gulf War 2, and Gulf War 3. From Saddam to isis we look at Iraq to see what they look like next to each other and it isn't good.
The Cognitive Hye, joins the boys in a long discussion about Armenia. In this episode, we discuss the Azerbaijan war, the USSR, and the beating that Armenia has taken to even get where it stands today. In a world of disinformation created by Azerbaijan and Turkey, take some time to learn the truth about Armenia.
In this episode, we go down the rabbit hole of America's inability to conduct a foreign policy that has a lasting positive impact and how most Americans can't think more than 1 layer deep.
Have you ever wondered how America learned to fight in a war? Where did we learn "Combined Arms Warfare" and our skills in proper soldiering? Well, Cody gets fueled up on caffeine, creatine, and Gatorade to fill you in on how America stole from everyone. Also Matt comes back and this is the end of Cody's solo adventure.
In an effort to talk about what lies at the heart of Russian unit traditions and psychology Cody goes down the rabbit hole of the first year of WW2 for Russia. A quick glimpse at what it was like for these soldiers and what they went through paves a drastic path for things to come if someone is to defeat Russia in conventional war.
How did Columbine lead to the creation of Wagner PMC? In this episode, Cody goes down the rabbit hole to talk about mercenaries and two of the most effective ones in recent history: Blackwater and Wagner.
With Matt still gone Cody and Poseidon S2 go into the depths of Intelligence Agencies and Spooky stuff that happens in the world whether its Private Intelligence or Private military. PART 2 ON PATREON
CW4 Schwalm, 33 year army veteran with 24 years in 5th special forces group. Chief Schwalm has been in the gulf War, Horn of Africa, Invasion of Afghanistan, Invasion of Iraq, and the War on ISIS.
Matt's taking a bit of leave, he'll be back. The boys talk about the world and cool things.
"thank you all for sticking around" - Matt
The boys sit down with a current serving French Foreign Legionnaire who walks us through their recruitment pipeline, TTPs, blending into a melting pop military organization and his visit to "the farm".
Cody and Matt talk to Rima, a former lobbyist, and current NGO spearhead inside Ukraine. Want to know who's brining the beans bullets and Band-Aids? She'll tell you.
Support her work at https://foblueyellowukraineusa.org/
You boys like tanks? Cause we talk alot about those here. AFV Recognition (AFV_Recognition) and Tank Diary (@TankDiary) talk about Russia tank capabilities, limitations with some good ole fashioned Brit charm <3
So guys and gals, we were going to do just a one-hour basic episode on Russia but it was getting really long so we decided mid-way to make it a 2 part podcast.
Enjoy the tease,
You can find part 2 on the Patreon!
Hey all, this week we were joined by Sino Talk (@sino_talk). We focused heavily on the Chinese Communist Party and their influence within the:
-Military
-Belt and Road Initiative
-Espionage
-Architecture
-and so much more.
Hello Everyone,
Cody and I have rebranded Croatoan Report into Kitbag Conversations.
Our new direction is to standardize content that is both easily digestible and accessible outside of META’s grasp. A few of these include:
-Retooling the podcast to essentially be “cum town for analysts” with regular releases on Sundays and bonus episode Wednesday on patreon.
-Publishing a bi-weekly substack with our lovely analytical hot takes while keeping low level updates on instagram/twitter/etc
-Host a book club, monthly game night/Q&A, national level pop up meet and greets
-Video format deep dives
-Merch
-And whatever other sexy topics come to mind
We appreciate your support and remember the day ones.
Choose your future, choose life.
Follow the new pages inside the link tree.
(intro song: summer - a2- aquabiking)
(Logo and art by @artwith_ben on instagram)
After receiving complains about my latest analytical bit "Ukraine: on the drink of collapse", I decided to double down with the topic but having a long discission with our old friend Cody. Throughout this episode, he and I look at:
-how Russia punched back against western nihilism
-Ukraine is strategically vulnerable without direct US support
-and what America's directionless policy in Ukraine means for "victory"
Welcome back everyone, I hope you had a good Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year season. We are back this week to talk about the lady herself, the Peoples Republic of China. I am joined by Sino Talk (@sino_talk) and Expeditionary Intelligence Group (@expint.v1) and we focus on China's activity domestically, in Africa and lightly touch on Central and South America.
I hope you enjoy.
Hey all, this week a community favorite Tales From The Grid Square (@tales_from_the_gridsquare) and I chatted the paranormal, incredibly dull and bizarre situations revolving around the military. A couple highlights are:
-Why he started the page
-Fun stories from our own experience
-Interesting stories what he has received
-Alot of Bigfoot talk
-And his recently published book
If you would like to purchase a copy of his first book, "Tales From The Grid Square: Vol one", you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZL9BQ1D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_DW69FAYZCGNZJM8SXBQR
This week I was joined by Peter Maguire, an internationally accredited author who's work focuses on Cambodia, international crime, narcotics, surf culture and is now a professor at UNC Wilmington. We had an absolute fantastic conversation where we talked about:
-His youth and early work
-The War on Terror
-Current and future projects
-And the geo-political arena we currently find ourselves in
If you would like to read his work, you can go to https://www.amazon.com/Peter-Maguire/e/B001H6P32G. Additionally, if you would like to read more, follow his substack at https://petermaguire.substack.com/
This week, I talked with Battles and Beers (@battles.and.beers) We had a great convo about:
-The war in Ukraine
-Modern warfare
-The warfare today
-And who we are
Hey all, Spycraft 101 (@spycraft101) came on the podcast this week and we talked about:
-History of espionage
-The average person giving up their information for comfort
-Famous spies
-and modern intelligence collection methods and threats
P.s. I pulled a muscle in my neck the day I recorded this so there may be a few spots where I sound off cause I was playing through the pain.
This week I am joined by Charles McBryde (@charlesmcbryde) and this week we talk about:
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Why he is in Columbia
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His time in Ukraine
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Culturalism
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And the human identify in wartime
This week Kagan Dunlap (@kagan.dunlap) came back on and we talked about:
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China
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Russia
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Tribalism
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Culture
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And more
Hey all, this week I spoke with Our Wars Today (@ourwarstoday2) and he had alot to say, including:
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His work with Atlas News
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His time in Ukraine
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The Instagram journalist community
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Queen is dead memes
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and much more
This week we are joined with Colin Mayfield (@collin_mayfield), a freelance journalist and documentary photographer in the American South. He has spent time across the globe focusing on geo-political and humanitarian flashpoints. Throughout the episode, we talk about:
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How he got into journalist work
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His time in Ukraine and Transnistria
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His work with Rose Warfare in Atlanta Georgia
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And what he has planned next
You can follow his work on Instagram and on his website https://www.collinmayfieldphotography.com/
Hey all, this week we are joined by S2 Forward (@_s2_fwd_) and Kagan Dunlap (@kagan.dunlap), a former Marine infantrymen. This week we talk about:
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US Marine Corps life style
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Chinese economic situation
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Camp Schwab, Okinawa
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And the logistical capabilities of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan
This week I talked to a Marine who assisted with the evacuation of Kabul nearly one year ago. He spoke about his quick turn around from leaving the Marine Corps School of Infantry to being in Iraq within a few short weeks. Additionally, we spoke about:
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His time on post at Abby Gate
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International cooperation during the evacuation
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Local Afghan civilian reaction and treatment
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And the most interesting two weeks of his life
This week I am joined by returning guest Lethal Minds Journal (@lethal.minds.journal), the Cognitive Marine (@thecognativemarine), S2 Forward (_s2_fwd_), Analyze Educate (@analyzeeducate), and Comms and Logistics (commsandlogistics). This week we walked about:
-China's logistical problem
-China's military community
-The Chinese civilian perception on a war on Taiwan
-And Steven Seagal
You asked for him and here he is. This week I am joined with Danny Gold: Producer. Correspondent. Writer. docs & articles on war, crime & politics @ everywhere. Pulitzer center grantee. reluctant podcaster @underworldpodcast. Danny and I talked about:
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Alex Jones
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His career as a journalist
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The underworld podcast
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And culture in general
This week I am joined with Warren Stoddard, a Syria and Ukrainian veteran and published author. Following his time in college, Warren volunteered to fight with the YPG in Kurdistan after Turkey launched their invasion. While with the YPG he was wounded, returned to the states and recently volunteered to train the Ukrainian military. Additionally, Warren has published two books, A Good Place on the Banks of the Euphrates (a collection of short stories from his time in Syria), and No Birds in Yesterday (a western). We talk about:
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Fighting in Syria and interaction with the US military after being wounded
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Work in Ukraine
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Time as a writer
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Our current cultural shift
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And living life as an RPG
I hope you enjoy the intro and outro music for the Croatoan Report Podcast because this week I talked with Sam Black (samblack.jpeg), the man responsible for both the sound for this podcast, and the soundtrack work for Popular Front. This week we talk about
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Music in relation to identity
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Sam's music hobby
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The outcome of the Russo-Ukrainian war
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and a melting pot of culture
Hello everyone, this week I sat down with Polity 21 (@polity21_) , a Instagram based conflict and analysis page focusing primarily on Greco-Turkish relations as well as the current Russo-Ukrainian war. This week we talk about:
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Greco-Turkish relations regarding islands in the Aegean
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The Cyprus question
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A Turkish third option
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And the relationship between nations in the Eastern Mediterranean
This week we are joined by Alcon S2 (@alcon.s2), a New Zealand based intelligence page dedicated to covering the INDO-PACIFIC area of responsibility (AOR). Alcon S2 and I reference our time as analysts in the Pacific theater to discuss:
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Chinese expansion under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
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Interoperability between FVEY (AUS, CAN, US, UK, NZ)
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Conventional warfare in the Pacific
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and fun personal stories in the military
This week we are joined by Ahmed Hassan, the CEO and founder of Grey Dynamics (@greydynamics) , a London based private intelligence organization with accreditations from the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom, and several other national level organizations. This week we speak about:
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Ahmed's background as a Somali refugee, financial expert and intelligence professional
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Background regarding failed states in Africa
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and the cultural overlap between
nations
You can view his work at https://greydynamics.com/
This week we are joined by Graham, the curator and one of the leading members behind Lethal Minds Journal. Lethal Minds aims to deliver information and intelligence to the community through a militaristic angle. Meaning, Lethal Minds looks to collect both current and prior service members to assist in delivering the information that they would have wanted while they were in. We discuss:
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The mission statement for the Lethal Minds Journal
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The war in Ukraine
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Personal stories and backgrounds while active in the U.S. Military
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And the way war continues to change
In a special extended episode, we caught up with our friend Cody. Cody is currently working with Task Force 31 (task_force_31) to help train, aid, and equip Ukrainian fighters heading to the front line. Additionally, we discuss:
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The future in Ukraine
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projected global food shortage
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Wagner Group
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French foreign policy
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US mid-term elections
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And Aiden Aslin (@Cossackgundi)
Please consider following Task Force 31 on Instagram and donating at taskforce31.com
This week Daphne Wesdorp and Chase Baker return to talk about their observations during the Russo-Ukraine conflict. We discuss (but not limited to):
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Journalism in Ukraine
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Too close to call stories
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Chase lore
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and comparison and contrast between the Middle East and Europe in times of war
This week we are joined by Mac (@macmillies) and Mike (@mikereports__), two individuals who have been focusing on former Soviet conflicts abroad. In this episode we discuss:
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The Georgian legion
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Central Asia's economic situation
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A growing nationalistic movement in a post Cold War world
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and drawing parallels between recent geopolitical events
This week on Croatoan Report Cody and I discuss a variety of topics including:
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The projected future for the war in Ukraine
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The Germany-Poland dynamic for control in Europe
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United States mid-term elections and its relationship with social media
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and the future of independent journalism on a increasingly censored platform (META)
I am joined this week with Tessaron News, and fellow news and intelligence page on Instagram. By sharing a similar background, Tessaron and I look at several topics through and analytical lens, including (but not limited to):
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Russian capabilities assets in Ukraine
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The future of the United States Marine Corps via Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO)
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And China's recent military past and projected future
Three days late but who is counting.
In this episode we talk about how the Taliban might be in Afghanistan. Additionally, Cody and I talk about:
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Taliban TTP's
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The Ukrainian Mafia
-
And Chechens in Afghanistan
Welcome back everyone, this week I sit down with Meridian News (@meridiannews). Meridian is a project dedicated to sharing and aggregating open source intelligence, stories from individuals experiencing history, and amplifying underreported global news. As an avid reader on both ends, we discuss multiple books that we have read and recommend, as well as several geo-political topics such as:
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China's indirect colonization of Africa and Asia
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How armchair news agencies stay relevant in a increasingly censored world
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A peek into the Russo-Ukraine conflict through both Aiden Aslin (Ukrainian Marine, @Cossackgundi) and Anatoly Dryomov (Russian Solider, @Drema_Di)
Matt, Cody (episode 2), and Stephen start off this episode by discussing the role of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) in Ukraine. We also discuss the Russian War Colleges apparent disregard of lessons learned from the Soviet-Afghan (1979-1989) and Georgia (2008) Wars as well as touching on recently passed Russian laws regarding information and facts. Some other topics we talk about are:
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Putin's academic background
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The economic/agricultural situation in Russia and Ukraine
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And how Ukraine impacts the next conventional fight
After a short break in syndication, we return with our latest guest, Carla Apodaca (@forthoseinperil). Carla runs a independent "war blog" on Instagram currently covering the Russo-Ukraine War. She also spends her time at a local Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Los Angeles where she helps make individual first aid kids (IFAKs). Once completing an order, these IFAKs are sent to assist the Ukrainian war effort. In this episode, we discuss:
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Social media affects on the conflict
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The Western worlds short sightedness
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And coping with comedy
Formerly a resident of Iraqi Kurdistan during the Iraq war, The Filthy American (@thefilthyamerican2.0) is the online persona of Chase Baker, a college student based in the American Southeast. In his own words, “I write about conflicts, culture, geopolitics and anything I think a reader will find worth reading.” During this episode, we talk about:
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The current state of socialized media based conflict journalism
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Prelude and current situation in Ukraine
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And the an individual's call to action to be a volunteer in Ukraine
Daphne Wesdorp (@daphnewesdorp) is an independent writer and photographer from the Netherlands, focused on conflict and post conflict situations. Before the Russian invasion, she covered events in Palestine, Iraq and Greece and currently is on the ground in Ukraine. Since the war began, she has spent time in Krakow, Lviv, Odessa, Dnipro and is now near Kharkiv. Throughout the episode we discuss:
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Refugee situation in Lviv and Dnipro
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Moral of Ukrainian forces in Odessa
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and "cancelling Russia"
In this episode, Cody (a writer for the page) elaborates on his previous assessment regarding Russia's predetermined failure within Ukraine. The main topics highlighted throughout the episode are (but not limited to):
-Russia's logistical shortfalls
-Russia's degraded combined arms capabilities
-Russia's inability to achieve air superiority due to proliferated MANPADS
-And Putin being "yes manned" into an invasion
Dr. John O'Brian is the director of a faith-based humanitarian mission in Ukraine. Arriving in 1997, Dr. O'Brian dedicated his time to assisting orphans and the blind until the annexation of Crimea (2014) and subsequent war in Donbas (2015). Since then, Dr. O'Brian has been an active volunteer assisting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and wounded members from Ukraine's military with non-lethal humanitarian aid. In this episode, we discuss: -Russo-Ukrainian history -The Russian road to war -Strategic importance of Kharkov -The Propaganda war -Current situation on the ground -And next steps from both the Russians and Ukrainians